Improvement in convertible goods-boxes



, 0. A. BROWN.

Convertible Goods Box No. 197,595. 7 7 Pafented Nov. 27,1877.

s-ss-s-s ff WITNESSES;

NPFI'ERS. FHOTU-IJTHOGRAFHER, WASHINGTON, D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. BROWN, OF TROY, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN CONVERTIBLE GOODS-BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 197,595, dated November27, 1877, application filed November 2, 1877. 7

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES A. BROWN, of the city of Troy, in the countyof Rensselaer and State of New York, have invented a certain Improvementin Boxes, of which the I following is a specification:

The invention consists in a box having several of its parts soconstructed as to enable it to be transformed into a device of differentexterior shape and internal arrangement, whereby the box is reduced inbulk for shipping purposes, and also adapted to receive and holddifferent classes of articles.

The special uses to which the box is applied are to hold collars orcuffs, with which goods it isdesigned to be sold by the manufacturer ofsaid articles of wear, and as a cigar-case, or cigar-case and match-boxcombined, for which it is employed, either primarily or after thecollars or cuffs have been removed therefrom or exhausted.

The invention, when not used as a cigarcase, may, however, be used toreceive articles other than collars or cuffs; but itslconstruction issuch as to specially adapt it for that purpose.

The construction of the box as to appearance is such as to make it anattractive ornament for the mantel or elsewhere.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an exterior view of theinvention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same, used as acigarcase. Fig. 3 is a top or plan view of a portion of the invention,as hereinafter described. Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the box asused for holding collars or cuffs, and as arranged, also, for packingand shipping.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in all the views.

A is the base of the box, consisting of an ornamentally turned or moldedplate or disk. A portion of the base extends within the body of the box,which is formed of the cylinder B, constructed out of some suitable thinmaterial, and tacked or otherwise secured to the base. In the presentcase the cylinder is composed of strips or layers of chip, artisticallyinterwoven and lined or backed with colored paper of pleasing design.

. The removable lid of the box consists of the plate or disk 0, having aneck or handle, 0,

which is hollow, forming a box for matches,

and provided with a lid or stopper, 0.

Resting within the cylinder B is a perforated plate, d, standing uponwire feet cl, or otherwise supported within the box. The perforations inthe plate d are intended to receive cigars, onebein g shownbydottedlines inFig.2.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 1 that the box, when its partsare in the position therein shown, presents the appearance of a wine orcordial bottle, the lid 0 representing its cork.

The cylindrical portion of the box may be surrounded by a ribbon,bearing a name and mark by which any favorite brand of cigars isdesignated.

Fig. 4 shows the box, in section, as used for holding collars and cuffs,and prepared for packing and shipment, the plate at being reversed andcaused to rest 011 the base A, the wire feet d standing up and inclosingthe said articles. The lid 0 is also reversed and brought to theposition indicated in said fi gure.

With the view of adapting the lid 0 to occupy the two positions shown,shoulders e and c are turned above and below the projection e, and madethe proper size to fit neatly within the mouth of the cylinder. When thebox is adjusted for shipping, the neck or handle 0 projects into thecentral space left within the roll of collars or cuffs, and the box isthen reduced to a compact form and convenient shape.

It is not necessary, in carrying out my invention, that there should bea match-box combined with the cigar-case; but I prefer that one shouldbe combined therewith, as herein shown, as the convenience of theinvention as a cigar-case is materially increased by its addition.

I do not limit myself to any particular design of box, or to anyparticular mode of construction, or to any specified material, althoughI prefer the shape, construction, and composite formation hereindescribed, which is claimed as my invention in a separate applicationfor Letters Patent filed by me and now pending.

Having described my invention, I claim as new and wish to secure byLetters Patent of the United States- 1. A box having a reversible lidand a reversible perforated tray, whereby, when the same are reversed orinverted, as described, the box is reduced in bulk and the character ofits interiorchanged, substantially as specified.

2. A box having a reversible lid, in which is formed a supplementarybox, substantially as described.

3. A box, combined with a lid, having a handle and two shoulders,adapting the lid to be placed in reversed positions in the box,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4:. A box, combined with a perforated plate or tray, standing on feet,the said tray being capable of being inverted Within the box,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. The lid 0, having the hollow neck or handle 0, combined with'tnnstopper o lid 0 substantially asshown; 1 f 1 6. The device hereindescribed, consisting of the following parts, in combination-that is tosay, the box A B, lid C, having the hol- CHAS. A. BROWN.

' Witnesses:

J. WARREN SEYMOUR,

J oHN S.v FAKE.

